In a significant political shift for Kerala, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured its first-ever mayorality in the state. Senior party leader V V Rajesh was sworn in as the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation on Friday, December 26, 2025. This victory comes as a major pre-poll boost for the party, marking the end of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front's (LDF) uninterrupted 45-year-long reign in the civic body.
A Historic Victory and a Strategic Choice
The BJP emerged as the single largest party in the recent corporation elections, winning 50 out of the 101 seats. The election to one ward was deferred following the death of a candidate. While it was widely speculated that the mayor's post might go to high-profile newcomer and former DGP R Sreelekha, the party's first IPS officer from Kerala who won her debut civic poll, the BJP leadership opted for experience. They chose V V Rajesh, a seasoned leader who has risen through the party ranks, sending a clear message about valuing long-term commitment.
This decision is seen as a direct response to internal criticism and allegations that the BJP in Kerala had been promoting fortune hunters or turncoats from other parties, sidelining dedicated cadres. By selecting Rajesh, the party has underscored the importance of leaders who have toiled for the organization over decades.
Who is V V Rajesh?
V V Rajesh, a 50-year-old lawyer by profession, is currently one of the state secretaries of the BJP in Kerala. His political journey began with the party's youth wing, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). He has been a Councillor since 2020 and was re-fielded in the recent polls as the BJP focused its strategy on the crucial state capital region.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, Rajesh, who was then the BJP district president, contested unsuccessfully from the Vattiyoorkavu seat, which falls within the corporation limits. A former party spokesperson and a familiar face in television debates, Rajesh has been at the forefront of several agitations. Notably, he led protests in the state capital during the 2018 Sabarimala temple entry controversy and faced related criminal cases in Thiruvananthapuram and Sabarimala.
Rajesh also belongs to the Hindu Nair community, which holds a significant presence in the capital region, adding a socio-political dimension to his selection.
The Road Ahead for Thiruvananthapuram
Following his election, the BJP solidified its position by ensuring the support of Independent councillor Radhakrishnan a day before the mayorality vote. The party's three-time councillor, Asha Nath G S, was elected as the Deputy Mayor.
In his first remarks as Mayor, V V Rajesh outlined an ambitious vision for the city. He stated, "In the next five years, the capital will be converted into one of the three most developed cities in the country." He emphasized a unified development approach for all 101 wards and promised to leverage the collective experience of the council, which includes members from the ruling party at the Centre (BJP), the state (LDF), and the opposition Congress.
This historic win in Thiruvananthapuram is more than just an administrative change; it represents a crucial inroad for the BJP in a state where it has long struggled to make significant electoral breakthroughs at the grassroots level of governance. The performance of the new council under Mayor Rajesh will be closely watched as a barometer of the party's growing appeal and administrative capabilities in Kerala.
